The Charles Dickens Letters Project

To MESSRS BRADBURY & EVANS, 31 OCTOBER 1855

MS Phillip Pirages.

OFFICE OF HOUSEHOLD WORDS,

Wednesday Thirty First October 1855

My Dear B & E.

I am suddenly brought to town by an anxiety of Miss Coutts’s1 which I am trying to set at rest, and shall now have to remain until over our audit.2 If we can expedite it by a few days, it will be a great convenience to me, and help to my work. The accounts will be ready, I apprehend next Tuesday. How soon afterwards would it suit you to audit here and dine here as usual? Wednesday?—Thursday? Will you consider and send me round a note, naming the Earliest day that will not put you out.

Ever Faithfully

CD.

• 1. CD, living with his family in Paris, had returned to organize the burial of Dr William Brown, physician to Miss Coutts and husband of her companion, Hannah Brown. Dr Brown had died suddenly in Montpellier while on holiday with Miss Coutts and his wife. Miss Coutts and Mrs Brown were concerned that he be interred inside St Stephen’s, Rochester Row, built by Miss Coutts. For the problems and for CD’s action, see To Miss Coutts, 31 Oct 55 (Pilgrim Letters 7, pp. 729-31 & nn).
• 2. Rearranged to Thursday, 8 Nov; CD was concerned to get back to Paris and to writing Little Dorrit with the least possible delay.